Los Blancos Impressive yet Vinicius Issues Grow – Major Clasico Talking Points
The match represented nearly a flawless day from Real Madrid, as they defeated Barca by a 2-1 scoreline during El Clasico and stretch the gap in first place of the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.
Jude Bellingham notched his first league goal along with setup this term following a difficult period healing from surgery on his shoulder.
Kylian Mbappe showed his lethal performance when scoring, and Alonso's tactics in his first derby in the dugout functioned perfectly.
Yet the Vinicius Junior question emerged again yet again.
Dissatisfied at his substitution, the star forward ranted while walking directly past the coach before stormed to the dressing room, then coming back to the substitute area later.
Alonso System Gets Results for the Midfielder
In his first derby, Alonso did well, considering the majority of Real's last eight managers were defeated in their first league encounter against their rivals.
After the relaxed style under Ancelotti fell short in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model delivered its first major result.
An expert noted, His plan was perfect. The home side were impressive, and Barca were off-color because of the home team's approach.”
When not in possession, they pressed high for as long as they could, if overcome, they tracked back in a structured manner, everybody including Vinicius.”
Their defensive setup with two banks spaced by five to 10 metres. The opposition struggled to penetrate.”
The tactical change looks to be positive for Jude, who in the past had been tasked to cover multiple roles in the engine room and additional duties.
Theoretically the young star started wide right, but actually he was allowed to move centrally and either link with Mbappe or get into scoring positions.
Balague added, With the French midfielder in central midfield, you get more dynamism and better ability to close down the passing lanes.”
“That forced the team to put Jude on the right-hand side. I'm sure he would have been asked to monitor Mbappe's movements in possession and had space, connecting with him a few times.”
His instructions included to enter the area and operate on the edge of the box, where he poses a threat. Additionally, he moved centrally to cut off passing options and cause the opponent's play tough.”
Strained Relations Revealed
There's no doubting that the fans love Vinicius, his name were sung multiple times by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.
Yet there have been numerous stories lately that Real Madrid might think about allowing his departure if the right offer was made.
He has a year left under his current terms at the end of the campaign, but negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.
His response to being replaced with 20 minutes left spoke of tension. Post-game, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront the Barcelona player.
Balague said, Many will criticize him and justifiably, since it displayed a lack of respect for the substitute who replaced him.”
“But since being a kid, his life has been amid adversity, and he feels that the world is hostile.”
Such thinking is hard to change, especially when you believe on the verge of the top star, but the team drives the axis to Mbappe as the key figure.”
Recently he has perceived that Real Madrid has not supported him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or with the club not denying it, that they wouldn't be unhappy if someone paid 250m euros for his transfer and let him go.”
“He feels all that, and when Alonso subbed him – justifiably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as required – in Vinicius' head he says ‘why me, why me again?.”
“It will be difficult to build a bridge with the club and Vinicius currently.”
Barca's Approach “Crumbles”
Following victories in all four of last season's matches, Sunday's performance highlighted Barca's shaky beginning of the season.
Injuries have robbed Hansi Flick of crucial contributors including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and the approach is not effective without them.
The analyst commented, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp defensively, with less desire to win it back, softer to reclaim the ball.”
Opponents find it simpler to attack them. Should the defense is not perfect, which was the case Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde played him onside, they are not helped by teammates failing to press those on the ball adequately.”
The young talent, the main threat earlier, was kept largely in check.
“Their stars were below par. The youngster seems not he's in good form, possibly because of groin problems